September 10, 2026 — S.T.O.M.P. the bull made his union debut September 8 outside the Department of Financial Services (DFS) in New York City, where PEF members and staff have experienced bullying management tactics, intimidation, and retaliation.
The 20-foot inflatable bull was blown up on the sidewalk outside 1 State Street in Lower Manhattan, where more than 100 PEF members work as investigators and other titles at DFS, the State agency in charge of regulating financial institutions in New York. Modeled after organized labor’s famous “Scabby the Rat” that pops up on city streets where non-unionized labor is employed, S.T.O.M.P. stands for “Stop Treating Our Members Poorly” and is a symbol PEF plans to deploy statewide to call out bullying managers.
“That bull over there, if you only knew what it took to get it in that location!” said PEF President Wayne Spence, referring to the arduous process required to erect a two-story inflatable on a New York City street. “No one wanted that bull to be out there.”
“We are here for a very simple reason,” said Vice President Darlene Williams at the start of the rally. “Every worker deserves dignity. Every worker deserves respect. And every worker deserves to go home without fear.”
About 100 PEF leaders, members and staff were joined by elected officials and members from other unions (NYSNA, CWA) in a show of solidarity at the rally. Speakers included Coalition of Black Trade Unionists President Terrence Melvin, NYS AFL-CIO President Mario Cilento, Chair of the State Senate Banking Committee James Sanders, Jr., incoming State Senator Grace Lee, Assemblymembers Brian Romero and Charles Fall, and City Councilman Yusef Salaam.
“I have one very simple message for all of my PEF family here today,” NYS AFL-CIO President Cilento told the crowd. “One message: You are not alone in this fight. Your 2.5 million brothers and sisters and family members of the New York State AFL-CIO of the entire labor movement are here with you!”
A PEF field representative and member of PEF’s staff union, United Steelworkers (USW) Local 9265, experienced firsthand the bullying behaviors and toxic environment at DFS, raised the red flag, and filed a complaint. USW members joined with PEF to call out the agency.
“No worker should have to come to work fearing bullying, intimidation, harassment or retaliation,” said USW Local 9265 Steward Jessica Carpenter. “And let’s be clear: our members are experiencing that same toxic behavior. USW staff walk into DFS to represent PEF members—and they deserve the same respect and dignity we demand for the members they represent. We will not accept bullying or intimidation as a substitute for leadership—not against PEF members, and not against our union members. Today, we put aside our differences and stand together. We stand for respect. We stand for dignity. We stand for the right of every worker to have a voice.”
Next up at the podium was Noel Acey, who works as a training specialist at DFS and who has worked for various agencies during her 28-year state career. Right before the pandemic, Acey experienced mistreatment at DFS and made a complaint. As a result, she was constantly retaliated against, and it only got worse after she suffered a health condition.
“I come before you as a survivor, not a victim,” she said. “I am so glad that this is happening. And do you know why? Because I wrote. I wrote to everyone I could think of. (Vice President) Darlene (Williams), President Spence, our coordinators, our field reps, our internal representation, the Governor, (NYS Attorney General) Tish James, everybody and anybody who would listen to me. We are professionals! Get your pen out, your paper, your email and write. Someone will listen to you.”
President Spence closed out the rally by asking the State Legislature and the Governor’s office to review the work of the Anti-Discrimination Investigations Division (ADID) – a unit that operates within the Office of Employee Relations (OER) and is charged with investigating employment discrimination complaints at state agencies.
“It is as if you’re asking the fox to watch the hens,” said Spence. “It has never worked and it will never work!”
Spence then talked directly to State workers who feel they’ve been discriminated against or otherwise bullied on the job.
“Nobody can give anybody courage,” he said. “There’s a point when you have to say enough is enough. If you’re being bullied, there’s a good chance someone else is being bullied, too. You are part of a union. You are not by yourself. Do not allow bullying, hostile, toxic work to make your life miserable. You do not deserve to be abused at work. You have a union and we are union strong!”
